BSNL to erect 1,105 new cell towers across AP

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is investing Rs 350 crore on creating additional infrastructure for expanding its cell network in Andhra Pradesh.

"At present, BSNL has 7.55 lakh cell connections in the state. Now we are creating infrastructure facilities for 9.65 lakh cell connections. As part of the expansion, we are erecting 1,105 new cell towers across the state with an investment of Rs 350 crore. The total expansion works will be completed by the end of June 2005," Sanjaya Kumar, chief general manager of BSNL AP Telecom Circle, told mediapersons on Saturday.

"At present, our marketshare in cell connections is about 24 per cent. Once the expansion works are completed, our marketshare in Andhra Pradesh will go up further," he added.

BSNL is seeing an increased demand for new fixed line connections due to its new rental plans for the fixed line users.

"We experienced a negative growth in fixed line connections last fiscal. But after introducing the new rental plans this year, our fixed line connections in the state have already gone up by around two lakh fixed line connections, and we expect another two lakh connections by the end of the current fiscal," Kumar said.

Sanjaya Kumar said that BSNL is also planning to provide broadband services from March 2005.

"In the first phase, close to 5,000 connections will be given across the state, while 79,000 connections will be provided in the second phase. Our broadband connection rental charges will be much cheaper when compared to the private players," he said.